There's a strong possibility you'll come across rotten or damaged wood on your siding, window sills, trim, or shutters while painting the exterior of your home.
Many people are eager to simply paint over it to hide the unattractive patches, but this is merely putting a bandaid on the problem. The best course of action is to repair or replace the damaged areas in order to restore your home to its original glory.
Many people think this is more effort than they want to do, but it's not as complicated as it appears. This post will provide you with some rotting wood repair advice to assist you in tackling the problem on your own.
It is possible to repair rotten wood yourself in cases of slight timber decay. Of course, if the problem is severe, you should consider hiring a professional to replace the rotted wood in your property, but in minor cases where the origin of the decay has been located and addressed, you may be able to repair the appearance using the procedures below.
Be cautious; as a misdiagnosis or wrong treatment can be quite costly. If you are in doubt, it is best to consult an expert like a home renovation contractor.
Get rid of the damaged areas
The first step in restoring rotted wood is to use a chisel to carefully remove the damaged area. You'll want to be as careful as possible to avoid removing healthy wood or causing further damage to the wood. Working in portions is a smart strategy. You may always remove more, but once you've chiseled it out, there's no going back!
To prepare for the next step, use a delicate kabuki brush to remove dirt and dust once you are sure you have removed the damaged wood.
Apply a coating of wood hardener to the surface
Dampness is the major cause of wood rot. Apply a layer of wood hardener to the chiseled areas to prevent future moisture intrusion. The hard glue will seep into the wood and form a seal, keeping undesired moisture and water out and lowering the risk of future decay. You can apply the resin using a paintbrush, making sure to cover all exposed parts.
Fill in the gaps
After that, fill in the chiseled-away portions with a smooth, level finish free of dips and holes. Wood resin or epoxy can be used to do this. You'll need a putty knife to apply it.
Sand
You want to sand them down to an outstandingly smooth finish that is consistent with the rest of the wood in all areas. When you've sanded the filler areas, sand the whole piece of wood down so the next step is to paint, and you'll want to make sure you have an even canvas to avoid unevenness and discrepancies in the look and feel of the wood. This can be done with sandpaper.
Prime & Paint
If you're painting wood, you'll want to make sure it's properly prepared by priming it first. Primer is often applied with a paintbrush in the same manner as paint and is intended to protect and extend the life of the wood. You can use wood-specific paint once you've primed.
The end result should be a piece of wood that is perfectly smooth and repaired.
Have you come across rotten wood on the exterior of your home? Contact the experienced Wood Repair Contractor in Simsbury, CT
